Hawks pitching for NHL All-Star Game

McDonough pressing matter, just as when Chicago was awarded 2009 Winter Classic

February 16, 2012|By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter

NEW YORK — One of the NHL's premier events could be headed to the United Center soon.

Commissioner Gary Bettman said Thursday the Blackhawks are being considered to host an NHL All-Star Game. Chicago hasn't hosted the event since 1991 and Bettman said from the NHL offices in New York that Hawks President John McDonough has been in contact about bringing the showcase to the United Center.

"Chicago has been pushing us," Bettman said. "John McDonough, as he pushed us very hard on the Winter Classic (in 2009) — and we're glad he did — (has) expressed interest certainly in another All-Star Game. Generally we don't go all that far out but they're on the radar screen. We're not ready to fix dates. The good news is, we have a ton of interest for our events. That makes for good problems in trying to decide where, but Chicago has expressed an interest."

The 2012 game was in Ottawa and the 2013 event is scheduled for Columbus.

Meanwhile, Bettman said talks between the league and the players' association regarding a new Collective Bargaining Agreement have not begun and there is no timetable for discussions to start. The current CBA is to expire Sept. 15.

Hoop dreams: Several of the Hawks got a first-hand look at NBA sensation Jeremy Lin when they saw him score 10 points with 13 assists in the Knicks 100-83 victory over the Kings Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden

"He can drive, penetrate and definitely dish," said Patrick Kane, who took in the game with teammates John Scott and Patrick Sharp. "He's a big spark for the Knicks, the city of New York and pretty much the whole sports world. He's fun to watch for sure."

Scott was not as impressed with Lin, who has become the media darling in New York with his recent play, and said the Bulls' Derrick Rose would fare well defensively against the Knicks guard.

"(Lin) had a couple of good alley-oop passes," the 6-feet-8 Scott said. "He's just not very good defensively in my mind. I think D-Rose could take him."

Health update: Defensemen Niklas Hjalmarsson and Steve Montador each missed his third consecutive game with upper-body injuries.